Nancy Pelosi opposes the idea that there's a link between violent video games and real-world violence

Since December’s tragic elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, several prominent political figures have voiced their opinions regarding violent media, more specifically, video games. Whether it was California’s State Senator Leland Yee promoting that gamers just “quiet down,” or U.S. Senator Manchin encouraging congress to ban Grand Theft Auto 5 in America, there’s been no shortage of video game drama in the news. Today, though, gamers can ostensibly catch a break, as one recognized political leader believes games are not the cause of violent behavior.

In an interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News today, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke out that violent video games are not the culprits behind the recent violent trend in America, despite Democrats calling for more scientific research.

This particular section of the interview began with Chris Wallace challenging House democrats’ plan to use federal dollars to research possible links between violent media and real-world violence when, he believes, there's enough evidence to "challenge popular culture directly." Pelosi countered back surprisingly, stating that though many in her sector are calling for more study, her personal research of overseas violence, in relation to video games and other violent media, reveal that there’s no link real link between violence and violent video games/media.

"As part of your plan, you call for more scientific research on the connection between popular culture and violence," Wallace said. "We don't need another study, respectfully. I mean, we know that these video games, where people have their heads splattered, these movies, these TV shows — why don't you go to your friends in Hollywood and challenge them? Shame them, and say, 'Knock it off?'"

"I understand what you're saying," Pelosi said. "I'm a mother. I'm a grandmother. But the evidence says that in Japan, for example, they have the most violent games than the rest and the lowest mortality from guns. I don't know what the explanation is for that except they may have good gun laws."